tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14155915066460103252017-04-20T12:51:18.501-01:00Favourite ThingsMy blog, my thoughts, my words, my experience and those rare expressions that I share with the hope that it will bless someoneDolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-21850520753663377812014-01-25T15:39:00.000-01:002014-01-25T15:39:33.901-01:00The Power of Confessions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bn0XAfC6wM4/UuPoiJvJpvI/AAAAAAAAAmU/YBwo0qEz5uA/s1600/LG+-+P715+DOLAPO+350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bn0XAfC6wM4/UuPoiJvJpvI/AAAAAAAAAmU/YBwo0qEz5uA/s1600/LG+-+P715+DOLAPO+350.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />So I have been quite reflective in the last few days. So many people are hurting and anxious about their fertility and having children. Fertility treatments, doctors and clinics are springing forth everywhere in the Naija and the statistics of families TTC is on the increase. Women are mostly affected; although male factor fertility is also on the increase , but because society places a lot of responsibility on the woman, she is the first point of questioning.<br /><br />I am a proponent for knowledge. By all means if you are knowledgeable about your health, your body and events happening around you the better. So I usually advice friends and people who come to my way to ask questions, strive to know and avoid doctors and people who hoard information. As a matter of fact, TTC is an integral part of life (if you aint lucky to get pregnant at the drop of an hat), and should be approached strategically, like you would an MBA. I am sure you wont pay for your MBA if the campus is a one storey brick wall in a corner somewhere unknown. So why would you go to a shack, a quack or someone who doesnt know the difference between herbs and vegetable all in a bid to get pregnant. I am not against herbal preparations, my late grandma was one you could call 'alagbo-omo" and I grew up to see women from all works of life visit our home to consult with her. I was her favourite and i know a thing or two about herbs. my take is that there are so many fakes around and one just need to be careful. <br /><br />Apart from this, there is the need to know God, have a relationship with Him and build up your faith. God absolutely wants you to have a child. He said we should go and replenish the earth; multiply, breed and whatever name you wish to call it. Ps 127:1 says Children are his heritage. The only woman in Bible that remained barren was one that blasphemed against King David's act of worship. None other didn't receive their children. Rachael, Hanna, Elizabeth.<br /><br />Now, hubby and I listens a lot to Pastor Poju Oyemade and in 2009/2010 he was talking so much about confessions as a form of prayer. We adopted it and wrote out a 2-page confession for the children we wanted. Morning and night we bring the confession sheets out and read it aloud, then we break bread (communion).<br /><br />Today I want to share that confession with you. I have edited it incase anyone wants to use it. 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">THE CONFESSIONS FOR GLORIOUS CHILDREN IN THIS YEAR 2014</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I have received the grace and the opportunity to have great and wonderful children that will prosper in all their endeavours and make heavy and massive impact in the world</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There is a recognition of the need of God and humanity for children that will grow up like Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Esther and the Apostles of our time and take the people of God in their generation out of the house and land of slavery and bring them to their promised land where there is milk and honey.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the year 2014, God has given us children that will bring be a proof of God’s mightiness </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In 2014, God has given us children (twins) that are growing from their childhood in the knowledge of Christ and the power of His might</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In 2014, God has given us children that will affect, effect and infect the nations with the principles of the kingdom of God and of His Christ; that the kingdom of this world will become the kingdom of our God and of His Christ in their lives according to Rev 11:15</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That I, (Put your name here) have become pregnant with twins (or what you want) this 2014</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For the Lord God who did it for the women I have heard their testimonies, who by-passed all the medical barriers and limitations of the enemy to make them pregnant, the same God has done it again this 2014 which I will delivered safely after 9 months</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For God is our only source of strength and accomplishment and with God nothing is impossible</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Lord God has subdued impossibility in our lives concerning this pregnancy in 2014 for possibility to the glory of His name</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As I have delivered baby(ies) in this year 2014, they are beauty to behold, glorious in the nature of God almighty </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">These children are loved by us, their parents, by all members of our family far or near, friends all over the world and by everybody whoever see them</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There is no corruption or defect in their bodies, skin, organ, brain, system, blood, muscle, all their makeup internally or externally</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The child(ren) do not acquire or inherit any disease, infirmity or whatever that is not of god in their genetic formation</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The child(ren) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>are as pure and clean as baby Jesus with no defect</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The child(ren) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>are indeed beauty to behold from the crown of their head to the sole of their feet</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">The child(ren) of ours grow up exceptionally brilliant and creative following strictly the order and purpose of God all the days of their lives and putting flight to the enemies of God in any institution they find themselves.</span></li></ul><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">Please praise and worship God and believe his word concerning your situation.</span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">I am waiting for your testimonies.</span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-59230643676988224242013-08-28T16:04:00.000-01:002013-08-28T16:04:34.474-01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="field field-name-field-pagge-title field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="background-image: url(http://www.9jamom.com/sites/all/themes/temp3a/images/hsep.jpg); background-position: 50% 100%; border: 0px; font-family: rockwell; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px 1px 1px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">In the Waiting Room: My Journey to Motherhood</span></h2><h2 style="background-image: url(http://www.9jamom.com/sites/all/themes/temp3a/images/hsep.jpg); background-position: 50% 100%; border: 0px; font-family: rockwell; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px 1px 1px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;(This was initially written for www.9jamom.com but a lot of&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="background-image: url(http://www.9jamom.com/sites/all/themes/temp3a/images/hsep.jpg); background-position: 50% 100%; border: 0px; font-family: rockwell; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px 1px 1px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">people</span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">&nbsp;have asked me to put it here too. So there you have it.....)</span></h2></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format field-group-div group-3b-img-text collapsible speed-fast effect-none fieldgroup-effects-processed" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h3 style="border: 0px; font-family: rockwell; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px 1px 1px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="field-group-format-toggler" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="field-group-format-title" href="http://www.9jamom.com/real_stories/waiting-room-my-journey-motherhood#" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a></span></h3><div class="field-group-format-wrapper" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field field-name-field-real-img field-type-image field-label-hidden" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img alt="" height="170" src="http://www.9jamom.com/sites/default/files/styles/temp3a/public/infertility.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" typeof="foaf:Image" width="190" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By Dolapo Taiwo-Fajolu</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the beginning…</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">Getting married was high on my priority list once I survived the long and arduous journey to achieving academic qualification. By the time I was through with school and landed a plum job in the bank, there was nothing stopping me and my fiancé from taking the plunge. We were ready and believed in our dreams of starting a family immediately.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">At 31, I couldn’t wait to start making babies. I didn’t feel anything could stop me from getting pregnant on the first try; I was healthy, and had a clock-work regular cycle. Also, no one in my family had to deal with infertility, so I felt it would be a breeze. Although, a few years prior, I had discovered milky-like discharges from my left breast and went for a check-up after I told my mum. The doctor said it was probably nothing to be worried about as there were no lumps. I had no idea that&nbsp;<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that</span>&nbsp;“nothing” was actually a major sign of an abnormality that would delay my attempts at conceiving.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Getting worried</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">After Eight months of unprotected, deliberate sex and no pregnancy, I began to worry that something was wrong. My hubby didn’t see any problem and would jokingly ask me what the rush was for? I began to suspect the discharges from my breast were something more than nothing especially as it now leaked from both breasts. I&nbsp;<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">googled</span>&nbsp;it and what I discovered was frightening.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My diagnosis: Prolactin and Infertility</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">It was from medical journals and&nbsp;<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">googled</span>&nbsp;articles that I discovered a world of prolactin levels and infertility. I went to a specialist hospital armed with the information I already had about my condition and the blood work revealed a higher than normal level of prolactin. The doctor confirmed that my periods, though regular were just my uterus shedding its walls.</span></div><blockquote style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was not ovulating at all!</span></div></blockquote><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">The shock of the news, the fear of treatment and all the associated psychological issues were overwhelming.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">Another term for high prolactin levels is&nbsp;<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hyperprolactinemia</span>. Women who are not pregnant and are not breastfeeding should have low levels of prolactin. While Prolactin plays a vital role during lactation and breast development in pregnancy, If a non-pregnant woman has abnormally high levels of prolactin, it may cause her difficulty in becoming pregnant. The occurrence of a milky flow from the breast of a woman who has not recently been pregnant or nursing is called&nbsp;<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">galactorrhea</span>. This was the initial condition I experienced that the doctor I visited did not see as anything to worry about! &nbsp;While&nbsp;<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">galactorrhea</span>&nbsp;can be caused by excessive local stimulation as well as hormonal imbalance, a full examination to rule out the cause, should have occurred.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Getting treated.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">The doctor had to eliminate the causes of my galactorrhea. Some medications cause an increase in prolactin levels. One of such was a drug I was using for ulcer (Cimetidine). &nbsp;Other drugs that could result in galactorrhea include some types of anti-depressants, sedatives, Estrogen, Oral contraceptives (birth control pills), blood pressure medications (methyldopa, verapamil), and medication for nausea (Reglan, metoclopramide). It can sometimes also be due to physical stress (i).</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">I was placed on a high course of Bromocriptine (Parlodel) and Six weeks into treatment, I conceived! Oh I thought if I only knew it was that simple!! And then I miscarried. This happened twice and then nothing again for months. The doctor placed me on a regime of weekly injections to boost my hormones and I got pregnant again. This 3<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">rd</span>&nbsp;time, the pregnancy went past the first trimester and into the 24<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span>&nbsp;week and all of a sudden, I began to dilate and my cervix couldn’t hold up again! (ii)</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Another clog in my wheel: Incompetent cervix<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/u51*L3I8L3fPxJSg3CJ7*zOJCxpxrU5LWJFpAfaY3bDqdGHFD6Rfuizy6cpMBlX4EDKd0JY0L2fj2euMAhGHDAtuoQl*-vx5/infertility2.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://api.ning.com/files/u51*L3I8L3fPxJSg3CJ7*zOJCxpxrU5LWJFpAfaY3bDqdGHFD6Rfuizy6cpMBlX4EDKd0JY0L2fj2euMAhGHDAtuoQl*-vx5/infertility2.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="221" /></a></span></span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">By the time I got to the hospital that fateful 1<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">st</span>&nbsp;Saturday in January 2009, I was 24 weeks into my pregnancy and 4cm dilated! The doctor told us the prognosis was bad, my baby’s lungs were immature and could risk grave infections if born at that age. He did an emergency&nbsp;<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cerclage.</span>&nbsp;Cervical cerclage is a rarely used type of surgery that involves sewing shut the outlet of the uterus (cervix) to prevent it from opening before a pregnancy is carried to full term.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">I was placed on full bed rest and we began to pray for a miracle. The doctor opined that if I could keep my son in for four - six more weeks, he would have a high chance of survival. I must add here that the cases of premature births in Nigeria are very high and most hospitals are not equipped for the care of such delicate children. Three days into my bed rest, my water broke and I had to deliver my son prematurely. He didn’t survive the delivery and died immediately after. The devastation I felt was indescribable. It was just 5 days into a new year and I could not believe I was starting the year on such a sour note.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">The diagnosis was clear - my cervix gave up mid-way into my pregnancy. The doctor said the condition is not pre-determined and most times, it is diagnosed only when it has happened. Now apart from&nbsp;<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hyperprolactinemia</span>, I had to contend with an incompetent cervix! I felt my world crashing on me and was depressed for a long time. Friends and family came around and in a few months I was ready to begin the journey again. Now this time, with the Parlodel, the injections and all I was finding it difficult to repeat the magic that made me conceive before. And how could I forget the crazy side effects of Parlodel! I was constantly feeling sorry for myself and sex with my husband was more of a reproductive research than an expression of love to each other.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">I went through several procedures; Hsg (X-ray examination of the uterus, fallopian tubes and surrounding areas), laparoscopy, D&amp;C to remove tissue in the uterus after the miscarriage, just name it. I felt violated, invaded and a lot of times, just sick of all the probing and needles.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Next steps: putting my faith to gear</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/mqDjvd8DAvhfv4ZJfs*u5-PzqmJgA5YMM-XEjgSp3ynqrCfPYfnbrN17TsA4rCpAFjCfQww7sOKYG-ZKZeQC-57b*wM9GmDL/infertility3.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com/files/mqDjvd8DAvhfv4ZJfs*u5-PzqmJgA5YMM-XEjgSp3ynqrCfPYfnbrN17TsA4rCpAFjCfQww7sOKYG-ZKZeQC-57b*wM9GmDL/infertility3.jpg?width=125" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="125" /></a>I am a believer and both my hubby and I serve God as workers in our church. My husband and I began to pray to God to step in. We started taking communion together daily and around that time we listened to Pastor Poju Oyemade of Covenant Christian Center in Lagos talk about the power of confession. We wrote our confessions and consistently declared that we were parents of the kind of children we wanted. About that time too, we changed churches to a place that was instrumental in developing our faith beyond serving God to relating with God as a powerful and miracle-working Father.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">I had peace that God would give me children, I just didn’t know when. I was still taking my drugs the entire time. I knew I had to get pregnant! Do you know what it feels like when all the women around you are either pregnant or have a baby? Apart from the emotional and physical issues, there is also the societal stigma that is prevalent in our Naija society. People ask how far? How many children do you have now? Those who know you are still waiting are careful not to upset you and at the same time, you really want to rejoice with your friends who are having children but deep down you feel sad about your condition.</span></div><blockquote style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The same society that places a high mark on fertility however lacks the moral and spiritual guidance and counseling backings needed to help people face these challenges.</span></div></blockquote><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">Medical counseling is rare if not non-existent and most doctors are seeing the high infertility rate in the country solely from an entrepreneurial point of view rather than a balance of providing succor and solution to a prevalent problem.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hope rising</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">Unexpectedly in June 2010 I realized I was late. I took a test and it was positive. I didn’t know how to react as elation was mixed with fear but I was determined to do all the right things for this child. So with prayers and the best medical care available, I proceeded with my pregnancy. I researched my condition and took note of all my symptoms. This pregnancy from the beginning was unlike any I had before. I was sick, and had bleedings at the 8<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span>&nbsp;and 11 weeks. I had cervical cerclage when I was 13weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/tnwGGYGKtwEQ*EU4erEJR1A8oGQurpBYrhhVrIK3vfJbRsw3pEq3C3ZmYE7b6Ag1J2Tvba8EsFOPteazHS4fe9r-o3v4-YvK/infertility4.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://api.ning.com/files/tnwGGYGKtwEQ*EU4erEJR1A8oGQurpBYrhhVrIK3vfJbRsw3pEq3C3ZmYE7b6Ag1J2Tvba8EsFOPteazHS4fe9r-o3v4-YvK/infertility4.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="240" /></a>Now all I had to do was take things easy, take my medications and lie low. The months moved slowly and every week that passed brought relief. I was constantly in pains, and sometimes felt like my pelvic would burst out from under me but prayers and faith in God’s words and my confession kept me going.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">When I passed the 24-week mark, I celebrated quietly as my pregnancy had passed the point where I lost my last baby. However, at 30 weeks, I began to lose my mucous plug and then started having discharges of mucous and blood. By now I was on complete bed rest and the doctor was hoping I could carry my son beyond 32weeks.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh! The joys of motherhood!</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">That was not to be as my water broke early one beautiful Monday morning. The stitches were removed and I delivered my son weighing 1.6kg and we immediately began the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) ordeal.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">Prior to this, I had never met or spoken to anyone who had a preterm baby and all the experiences online were different from my&nbsp;<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nigerian</span>&nbsp;situation.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">OT in NICU</span><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/P5iTP*uh2G1omafENjjdo2DkrVZyadh0gKJ1dEWrKooPUklDf8f9VeHAyg2NEBlka9PHDxTzhI0snfd5Ef5Uqn6sdySP*Raj/infertility5.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com/files/P5iTP*uh2G1omafENjjdo2DkrVZyadh0gKJ1dEWrKooPUklDf8f9VeHAyg2NEBlka9PHDxTzhI0snfd5Ef5Uqn6sdySP*Raj/infertility5.jpg?width=200" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></a>&nbsp;(Pictured L, R)</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/7uH9-Cl0KpSoYTnwn9vlLOsq2miqVFFlkvfn4Lg8*0LO9nYpwCK9cfMCCkT0to3r-xo6PUEMqK4SpjYiJQDGdgIavZhjtbVv/infertility6.jpg?width=200" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://api.ning.com/files/7uH9-Cl0KpSoYTnwn9vlLOsq2miqVFFlkvfn4Lg8*0LO9nYpwCK9cfMCCkT0to3r-xo6PUEMqK4SpjYiJQDGdgIavZhjtbVv/infertility6.jpg?width=200" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></a>I was however consoled that my son and I received the best treatment a Nigerian hospital can offer and from a plummeting weight loss of 1.35kg, he gradually began to gain some weight. After four weeks in the NICU, at 1.7kg and having overcome apnea, and luckily escaping jaundice (A miracle I praise God for), I took my son home.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">I learnt some valuable lessons while in the hospital, one of which is that you are your own counselor and encourager. Another lesson is that no matter how hard you worry, God is in control and he has your best interest at hand.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Five Months later</span><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/InLfR-Lol4sX95RHfSFCYhwHRHngU*CACDAIRPTIp7vUR1z0dFfsNx8xFUvDN-dQbVUwCJdGmUMm8Be6tC0W9YWNdQhIhGDk/infertility7.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://api.ning.com/files/InLfR-Lol4sX95RHfSFCYhwHRHngU*CACDAIRPTIp7vUR1z0dFfsNx8xFUvDN-dQbVUwCJdGmUMm8Be6tC0W9YWNdQhIhGDk/infertility7.jpg?width=200" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Moving forward</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">There are women who have fertility issues that have gone undiagnosed or been mis-diagnosed. Many, today, spend a lot of money on tests that are either too expensive or invasive or outrightly unnecessary.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">So many women are hiding away because of the stigma ascribed to infertility in our society and many groan under the persecution and label of barrenness. &nbsp;There are hardly counselors or teachers who are willing to show the way and where biology has failed, spiritual lessons are one-sided or insufficient. Even the bible says a barren womb is unsatisfied! As long as the woman is not with a child, there can never be fulfillment! How then can we help? How can knowledge empower us? How can we be sure our circumstances will not be exploited by entrepreneurs in our money-driven society? I advise women to arm themselves with knowledge, to be brave and face their illnesses or whatever is causing delay.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">The first step towards healing is acceptance. Accept you have a problem, identify your symptoms if any, in case there is none (unexplained infertility), check your diets. Most delays can be from our partners as well so the test should include semen analysis. A good doctor will not start to treat you without first confirming the status of your spouse’s semen. Lifestyle changes too are key to finding healing. Apart from this there is the belief that external influence beyond the physical causes infertility. I would be fooling myself if I didn’t mention this as our African roots and society are riddled with such stories of people being cursed or placed under the influence of one juju or voodoo. While not glorifying the devil that is masterful in deceit, it is important to note that the Almighty God is sovereign and powerful than any influence. So I hold the belief that no voodoo, charm or juju is able to keep a woman barren. Once your faith is in gear, believe the word of God concerning your situation, learn all you can about it and keep believing. Once that is done other steps follow.</span></div><blockquote style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">I also would like to candidly advice that as women we should not wait too late to begin child-bearing if interested in having children and the opportunity presents itself. As much as we can, and is possible, we should start early. Yes, I know the economic situation and relationship problems may cause delays but we must please encourage the young ones to start early, especially if motherhood is high on our priorities in life. It is a known fact that the older a woman is; the harder it is to get pregnant and there are associated complications/age-related defects that might arise with the pregnancy despite current technological advances.</span></div></blockquote><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lastly don’t give up. If you don’t get that BFP (Big Fat Positive on a Pregnancy Test) this month, next month is there. Keep hope alive!</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Further reading:</span></div><ul style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/tc/fertility-problems-treatment-overview" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Fertility Problems – Treatment Overview</span></a></li><li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">God’s Waiting Room 1 &amp; 2 by Yewande Zaccheus: these books contain testimonies of women who overcame their infertility either by miracle babies, IVF, Adoption and others. It is a good read and I found it helpful in my journey. I recommend it to every woman in the waiting room.</span></li></ul><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">References</span></span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">(i)&nbsp;<a href="http://www.drugs.com/enc/prolactin.html" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self">Prolactin Medical Information</a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">(ii)&nbsp;<a href="http://www.healthymother.wordpress.com/" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Healthy Mother</a></span></div></div></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-80685261297421094262013-06-10T05:22:00.001-01:002013-06-10T05:22:27.761-01:00Much Ado About Flat Tummy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I was reading comments on a post on&nbsp; my favourite women's&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;group, BR (Babes redefined) early this week on why women don't have or work towards a flatter tummy after childbirth. The discussion was captivating, grossing over xxx comments. I contributed a simple "hmmm", but I thought deeper about it and asked myself why I don't care about a flatter tummy or didn't work towards one before.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Before I gained weight in 2001, I was d bonga-fish of the family. In my days at Ibapoly I was very thin. What we celebrate as Lepa today. Small breast, small bum, flat tummy, thin neck, thin legs n arms. And bottom line was I hated me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">I started eating to add weight and in 2000/2001 it paid off. I filled out in the right places and became curvy. I liked me! Our society appraise curviness and even our fashion supports it. Iro and buba, blouse and wrappers looks better on orobos than on stick-thin women. Our men (most of them) likes some flesh on their women. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Now I agree with most of the comments on this topic. Yes African women don't really care or work on belly-fat which is a multi-million dollar business abroad. Yes, 80% of us or more "jiggles with it" and proudly too in our tight fitting&nbsp;Lycra&nbsp;tops as if it is normal (or is it?) but I asked myself how I haven't achieved more in terms of having an ideal tummy size bandied about. I realised that years of fertility treatment, being a mom to a pre term baby and having to care for him in d hospital where hot water and tummy-tying was not encouraged for over a month after birth are valid reasons or excuses for my tummy "trouble".</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Have I tried to get it down? Oh! I got body magic and I almost died! Lol. I've removed it inside BRT before, yes inside the big red commuter bus popular in Lagos when my life was ebbing away cos of the restrictions. I wear shape-wears now, a more comfortable alternative to body magic or girdle but I've also removed it at work sometimes to "free myself". For permanent solutions I have tried Low-cost diets, No-carb diets, water therapy. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">But in all I just feel you can't get 100/100. So u win some and lose some. I won't do a tummy-tuck, take slimming drugs or any extreme exercise to get a flat tummy. My tummy does not define me, I give definition to my self and what I am. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Comments are welcome!</span><br /></div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-10782941659299116902013-05-28T15:19:00.001-01:002013-05-28T15:19:35.071-01:00"WHAT NOT TO SAY TO A PREEMIE PARENT" - Copied<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I read this list online today and wish to share it here. I confess I didn't get much of these but there was the occasional ,"aww, he is so small", or "what did you do that made him come early". Mostly people were sympathetic, afraid and sometimes ignorant. I also didn't take him out in those early days and didn't expose him to germs cos i had people&nbsp;sanitize&nbsp;their hands before they carried him. For those new on this blog, I had my son prematurely at 31 weeks. You can read all about it on previous posts.<br /><br /><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/253329_606365342707050_1314946749_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">1. “You’re so lucky that you&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;have to go through the end of pregnancy!”</span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">2. “At least, with the baby in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), you can get rest at night!”</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br />3. “He’s so small!”<br /><br />4. “When will he catch up?”<br /><br />5. “What did you do, that he was born so early?”<br /><br />6. “Everything happens for a reason.”<br /><br />7. “Now that you have her home and off all that medical equipment, everything will be fine.”<br /><br />8. “You’re just being paranoid about his health.”<br /><br />9. “He needs to be exposed to germs to build up immunity.”<br /><br />10. “He’s how old? My child is the same age and twice his size.”<br /><br />11. "With all those nurses around, you and your husband should just go out…you’ve got great babysitters"<br /><br />12. "Is your baby going to make it?"<br /><br />13. "When is your baby coming home?"<br /><br />14. "Don't adjust his months, stop taking months out"</span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">What do you think?</span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-57616522413106807342012-10-18T06:01:00.002-01:002012-10-18T06:01:36.355-01:00Bellanaija Features: Born Too Soon <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Dear friends,<br /><br />DO visit&nbsp;http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/10/17/bn-our-stories-our-miracles-born-too-soon-dolapo-taiwo-fajolu-shares-the-story-of-the-loss-of-her-son-her-second-chance/ to read up a feature about prematurity.<br /><br />You already know this blog is dedicated to family, fertility, babies, women's health and all other things on the side.<br /><br />Love you all.</div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-32878750162233975652012-10-05T04:43:00.001-01:002012-10-05T04:43:53.084-01:00World Prematurity Day is November 17 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Come November 17, 2012 I will be joining the World to celebrate WORLD PREMATURITY DAY. This is a day set aside to draw attention to children born before the full gestational period and to mothers who face the onerous task of waiting with fear, anxiety and prayers for these dear babies. If u want to join me, comment below this post and let me know if you are a preemie, a mother to one, a medical practitioner interested in the care of preemies or just a kind hearted person.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">More information onthe programme of events will be sent your way.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">If youhave links in the media and will like to partner with me on this programme do not hesitate to contact me as well.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">God bless you</span></div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-32938411377123363152012-05-26T08:54:00.000-01:002012-05-26T08:54:16.040-01:00A short note to my beautiful kicker!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">In a few weeks I'll meet you, hold you and look into your eyes for the first time. Although we've not met your presence is evidence in every kick, hiccups and movement in my tummy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I wasn't expecting you; cos I was still revelling in knowing and caring for your brother, our brave ever-smiling miracle baby. But God had plans for you and you came. We didn't even know until almost 12weeks after.<br /><br /><br />I ask myself how do I share my love equally between you and still remain impartial and make you feel the love. While OT was sought for, you are a gift, a favour God bestowed on us. I'm preparing to meet you and I love you so much already.<br /><br />Now that I have you, I am more optimistic and unrepentantly so that there is no impossibility with our God and therefore I can boldly say that every woman and man deserves children and there are many ways to achive this success. The only obstacle is fear and giving up too early in the day. <br /><br />If anyone reads this note, and wants to know the ways, dont hesistate to ask me. <br /><br />xoxo<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-31737704487927943042011-11-18T12:33:00.001-01:002011-11-18T12:35:07.203-01:00My Story was featured on 9jamom.com!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Dear Friends,<br /><br />My story is the month's feature on <a href="http://9jamom.com/">http://9jamom.com/</a><br /><br />The response&nbsp;has been overwhelming and i never knew how opening up&nbsp;and sharing my personal story could touch people the way it&nbsp;has done.<br /><br />I appreciate the admin of 9jamom for the opportunity and all who has commented and shared their stories with me too. We are going somewhere with this and opening up is just the beginning. Friends and families suffering in&nbsp;silence can stop as a problem shared is one half-solved.<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://9jamom.com/profiles/blog/9ja-mom-real-stories">http://9jamom.com/profiles/blog/9ja-mom-real-stories</a><br /><br />Drop a word of encouragement and pass the word around. There is hope!!!&nbsp;</div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-82447797092373575532011-10-06T07:17:00.000-01:002011-10-06T07:17:03.604-01:00When Your Period Signals a Problem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Heavy periods, no periods, painful periods, spotting -- find out when it's time to call your doctor.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>By Stephanie Watson</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Reviewed by Mikio A. Nihira, MD</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you probably learned back in middle school, menstruation is the monthly shedding of your uterine lining. Though it can be uncomfortable and sometimes inconvenient, your period is your body's way of telling you that your reproductive system is working properly. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as every woman is unique, every woman's period has its own personality. Some periods are short, others are long. Some are heavy, others are light.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a few years' worth of monthly bleeding, most women start to get a feel for their period's frequency, duration, and flow. When something out of the ordinary happens -- such as spotting between periods or an exceptionally heavy flow -- it's natural to wonder what's going on.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is There Such a Thing as a Normal Period?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not really. The average woman's menstrual cycle is 28 days long, and the average period lasts for three to five days, but there can be huge menstrual cycle variations from woman to woman.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Three days is normal for some women, seven days is normal for others," says Franklin Loffer, MD, executive vice president and medical director of AAGL (formerly known as the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists). Similarly, the normal period flow can be heavier in some women than in others.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rather than worrying about the length or frequency of your period, you need to consider whether anything has changed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"A woman should really be tracking her own menstrual cycle, because it provides huge numbers of clues about whether something's not right," says Frances Ginsburg, MD, director of reproductive endocrinology at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Conn., and assistant professor of clinical obstetrics/gynecology in the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some common menstrual period changes, and what they might mean.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your Period Has Slowed or Stopped</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big question if you're not getting your period is -- how old are you?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cause of a missing menstrual period (called amenorrhea) varies by age. "To quit having periods at age 25 is a significantly different issue than quitting at age 50," Loffer says. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a woman in her 20s or 30s who is sexually active, pregnancy is always a possibility. "Even if a woman thinks she's protected, that's not an absolute guarantee," Loffer says.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the other hand, women in their 40s or 50s could be in perimenopause -- the period surrounding menopause. As your ovaries slow their estrogen production, periods become less frequent. Periods also can get shorter or lighter during perimenopause. Once your periods stop for a full 12 months in a row, you're in menopause. The average age for menopause is 51.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another possible cause of missed periods is excessive exercise. Anywhere from 5% to 25% of female athletes work out so hard that they stop getting their periods. Called exercise-induced amenorrhea, this phenomenon is particularly common among ballet dancers and runners. Intense exercise affects the production and regulation of reproductive hormones involved in the menstrual cycle.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your Period Has Slowed or Stopped continued...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For similar reasons, women who have eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa can also stop getting their period. Severely restricting the amount of calories you eat suppresses the release of hormones your body needs for ovulation.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other possible causes of missed periods include:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Thyroid or pituitary gland disorders</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Disorder of the hypothalamus (brain area that assists with reproductive hormone regulation)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Breastfeeding</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Obesity</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Oral contraceptives (although birth control pills will usually just make the periods lighter, rather than stopping them entirely)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Stress</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Polycystic ovarian syndrome and other hormone imbalances</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Ovarian failure (the loss of normal ovarian function before age 40)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Disease of the uterus (womb)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your Period Is Heavier Than Normal</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most women only shed about 2 or 3 tablespoons of blood each month. Those with heavy periods (menorrhagia) can lose 5 or more tablespoons of blood monthly.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you bleed excessively, you lose iron. Your body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, the molecule that helps your red blood cells transport oxygen throughout your body. Without enough iron, your red blood cell count will drop, leading to anemia. Signs of anemia include shortness of breath, unusually pale skin, and fatigue.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have a persistently heavy flow, see your doctor for a blood count to make sure you're not iron deficient, Ginsburg advises. If so, you might need to take a supplement.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A number of conditions can increase your period flow, including:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Uterine fibroids or polyps (noncancerous growths in the uterine lining)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Use of certain drugs (including blood thinners or steroids)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• A change in your birth control pills</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Clotting disorders, such as von Willebrand's disease</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Cancer of the uterus</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can gauge how heavy your period is by how many tampons or pads you're using. Soaking through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for a few hours in a row is a sign that you're bleeding abnormally heavily.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taking oral contraceptives can help regulate your menstrual cycle and reduce bleeding. If you use an IUD for contraception, your doctor may choose to insert a specific type of hormone-releasing IUD called Mirena to help reduce bleeding. Another option is a medicine called Lysteda, a pill that helps stop bleeding by increasing blood clotting. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If the bleeding continues, your ob/gyn might recommend that you have an ultrasound or other test to identify the source of the problem.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You're Bleeding In Between Periods</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is one period problem you shouldn’t ignore. "If you're bleeding between periods, it should be investigated," Loffer says.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Causes can range from something benign -- such as having an irritated sore in the vaginal area or forgetting to take your birth control pill -- to something as serious as an ectopic pregnancy or cancer. Visit your doctor for an exam.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You're Experiencing a Lot of Pain with Your Period</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your period generally isn't the most comfortable time of the month. Most women have cramps as the uterus contracts to shed its lining. Usually the discomfort is mild and it subsides in a day or two.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But for some women, the pain is so intense that they can't get out of bed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Painful periods are called dysmenorrhea. They can be accompanied by other symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, or discomfort in the lower back.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes the pain is from the period itself, but it also can be caused by conditions like endometriosis and fibroids. To find the source of the problem, your doctor can do a pelvic exam and Pap test, as well as other diagnostic tests such as an ultrasound or laparoscopy.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help because they not only relieve pain, they also prevent the body from making prostaglandins -- the chemicals that stimulate your uterus to contract during your period. Your doctor might recommend that you go on the pill or get an IUD, which can also reduce period pain. Fibroids and endometriosis are sometimes treated with surgery.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When to See Your Doctor</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any period issue that is out of the ordinary for you warrants a call to your doctor, especially if it makes you uncomfortable or keeps you from doing your normal activities. "If a woman feels that it's interfering with her lifestyle, then she needs to address it," Loffer says.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Definitely call your doctor if:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Your periods used to be regular, but they've become irregular.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Your period comes more often than every 21 days, or less often than every 35 days, for several cycles.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• You bleed for more than seven days straight.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• You stopped bleeding for 12 months in a row (menopause) and are now bleeding again.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• You are soaking through one or more pads or tampons each hour for several hours in a row.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• You have bleeding between periods.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Your periods are very painful.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Culled from WebMD.com)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-61444137513012430922011-10-05T05:53:00.000-01:002013-05-15T15:02:24.883-01:00Random Thoughts on Fertility<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I listened to a radio call-in programme last night on IVF and 70% of the people who called in said they had the procedure and didn't receive post-procedure counselling after their cycles failed. This confirms to me that most fertility clinics are merely concerned about the money and not necessarily the emotional condition of their patients. <br /><br />A woman called in and said she is over 50, and had IVF only to be told her ovum was not producing eggs! I believe someone like that need not have waited till her 50s to attempt IVF and also that the doctors should have done their investigative tests to ascertain her suitability for the procedure instead of allowing such a couple go through the emotional, and financial stress of the procedure.<br /><br />It is common knowledge that if you are in your 20s and you have had unprotected sex for 1 year without conception you need to see a doctor and if you are in your 30s and has had unprotected sex for 6months without conception you are a candidate for fertility reviews. We should not wait until the 50s to seek help. One major factor leading to the high incidence of infertility in Nigeria as I have observed is late marriages. After spending all our productive years in school, we find out guys are afraid of commitment and ladies are getting married in their 30s. However, this does not stop anyone from getting to know your body while you are still single.<br /><br />Ladies should review the changes in their monthly cycles. How long? How much? What changes? Seek healthy options to your favorites habits by eating well, avoid sinful relationships, don't do drugs and never take a drug without prescription. Do you know some prescription drugs causes infertility? if you have painful unexplained cramps, clots or irregular periods, they could be a pointer to deeper reproductive issues later in life. Knowledge is power and the earlier these are tackled the better.<br /><br />Having a prayer network and receiving counsel goes a long way in calming nerves and knowing that someone has gone through the same path can go a long way in providing the succour and help that may be absent in the impersonal doctor's examination room. I can assure you that the feeling of being violated while on the examination table is not peculiar and any woman who has had to go through an examination knows what it feels like.<br /><br />What am&nbsp;I rambling about? Reach out! Talk to someone!! It may not necessarily be easy to tell your friends and family what it is but in a personalised counselling you get to pour out your heart knowing the information will not be used against you. <br /><br />&nbsp;I strongly believe that any family going through infertility and considering treatment should seek out personalised counselling. It is a long road most of the time, and you need your support system. Please don't hesitate to reach out. Call 08121716955 today or add 2A38E9E7 on bbm. It could be the best decision you ever made on your journey through the waiting room. </div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-71052331672847554432011-07-13T17:45:00.000-01:002011-07-13T17:45:13.074-01:00I was here exactly 12 months ago<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">I never thought it will take me one whole year before&nbsp;I come back&nbsp;here but that is what seemed to have happened. my last post was a letter to my unborn child (13/07/2010). That child is 7 months today!!! It has been a roller coaster of fears, joys, trepidation and certainties. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Oromitope Edward Fajolu is surely a dream and a prayer come true. He is so far all I wished he would be and much more. Infertility in whatever form is a hard place to be and going through the phase and being blessed with a child, one so precious as OT is indeed indescribable.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-504jpU5jy2k/Th3kRrPheiI/AAAAAAAAAG8/Mfy3cKzo_i8/s1600/ot+at+7+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 173px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 201px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-504jpU5jy2k/Th3kRrPheiI/AAAAAAAAAG8/Mfy3cKzo_i8/s200/ot+at+7+months.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2FsvTgsepg/Th3dVfmSR8I/AAAAAAAAAG4/9JlbuX-E0Xo/s1600/IMG00185-20101219-1716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 155px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 201px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2FsvTgsepg/Th3dVfmSR8I/AAAAAAAAAG4/9JlbuX-E0Xo/s200/IMG00185-20101219-1716.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">I reach out to all women out there waiting for the joy of motherhood, I reach out via this post to all the ladies out there facing the pains of infertility. I want to tell you it is indeed a hard place to be and you don't have to go through it alone. sometimes not having someone to talk to about your experiences makes it harder. or speaking to people and knowing they don't understand you at all! I just want to offer my hand and reach out. If you read this and you are in the waiting room, i say i can help. I can pray with you, talk to you, encourage you and discuss your treatment options with you. I had 2 early miscarriages and another&nbsp;one at 24 weeks before i was able to carry a baby to 31 weeks gestation age. Getting these pregnancies were not easy as i was on a regime of fertility drugs and injections as well. I know what it feels like to have to go for weekly injections to boost ovulation. I know how painful 'PD' injections are. ouch. What more? I can tell you how it feels to have a 1.6kg baby in NICU for 4 weeks </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvErJ3uGks8/Th3dEYkm2yI/AAAAAAAAAG0/x2qcsaxNI5E/s1600/IMG00182-20101219-0722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvErJ3uGks8/Th3dEYkm2yI/AAAAAAAAAG0/x2qcsaxNI5E/s200/IMG00182-20101219-0722.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">and watch him blossom into a cute bundle of joy in just few months. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">I am saying that it is possible!!!</span></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">﻿</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Transisting from the waiting room to the place of motherhood is possible. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Don't doubt it and please allow me to hold your hand through the journey. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Knowledge is power and not knowing what is going on in your body is uncomfortable. I love research and i am able to relate to everything that the doctors say but i know a lot of us out there are ignorant about terms like HSG, anovulatory cycles, ovarian cysts, cerclage, incompetent cervix, blocked tubes etc.</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">PS: If you know anyone who is in need of a word of encouragement or questions, reach out to me on 08121716955 or BB Pin: 2198C8C1</span><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-29022509665435456892010-08-31T10:53:00.000-01:002010-08-31T10:53:25.713-01:00To my Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">13-07-2010</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Straight from my heart,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Child,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am writing you another letter. Although I knew you would come, I never had the idea of when, or even how. All medical reasons why you may not come kept mounting, physically and psychologically drained with syringe of injections, drugs, surgeries and investigative procedures that kept bringing up more issues than I could bear.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was the painful part. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My pastor took one look at me in March and said, “No shaking”, I was really looking forward to some big prayers to clear out the roadblocks and bring the miracle but I guess God knew I had no problem. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The good part is that we have faith to believe, faith to give our hope the substance it needs to bring what our heart desires out into realities. We believe in God who is able; and who has promised. We also hold Him to His word which he has sworn by himself not to fail.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And you came! The journey to realisation began when we least expected and I am convinced all is well with you; with the barrage of prayers and well-wishes as my bulge begins to show; a little too early if I must say, but I guess you are going to be a big baby! This time around don’t worry, the host of heaven is watching over you to bring you forth at the right time into our waiting arms!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keep swimming in the love of all around you, my child of promise, the evidence of God’s power in our life till we see face to face. Maybe I will write another letter, or maybe I will continue our journal till we see face to face. Daddy is reading and piling up more knowledge on how to meet our needs. He can’t wait to hold you in his arms!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sure love you and I am committed to doing all I can to see you at the right time.</span>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-30617851040660777242010-06-05T15:45:00.001-01:002010-06-05T16:03:59.623-01:00A lesson from MichalShe looked out from behind the heavy drapes that separates the children's quarters from the king's court. Who is this young, handsome man that all the town has been talking about? His name is on every lips and he is gradually becoming even more popular than her father, the King. Michal knew his name is David, a she<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">pherd</span> boy from Bethlehem and she has heard from the palace guards and servants how he slayed the big, strong Goliath. She wants to know him better, and every story she&nbsp;hears about him makes her heart grow fonder of this tender yet strong Shepherd boy.<br /><br />Saul has gradually grown weary of hearing the women in his courtyard singing with playful frolic the latest release from the town's musician. The words of the songs, innocent they may seem, only stirs up his anger at the boy. The women sang," Saul kills by the thousands, David by the ten thousand" What impunity! How dare he take the shine off me!! He took it as a personal insult, he said to himself," before i know it, these people will give David the kingdom"!<br /><br />By allowing hate in his heart, Saul <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">sanked</span> deeper into depression and sought to kill David. He decided that rather than kill him with his own hands, he will send David to fight all his wars and allow the enemies of Israel to finish him off. He therefore called David and offered him <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Merab</span>, his first daughter - David couldn't believe it! Saul however didn't go on with the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Merab</span> conspiracy as another chance presented itself - He found out that Michal loved David! I will use Michal as bait to get David out to where the enemies will get a good hold of him, he thought.<br /><br />Saul ordered his servants," Go and tell David that he needs to become the king's in law!" However, David was careful, he thought himself too low to become the king's in-law. His thoughts was that he could never afford the bride price anyway. However Saul devised a way out, " Go kill 100 Philistines and bring evidence of their deaths to the me, and the bride is your, He said."&nbsp; Easy, David said and did what the king demanded. Mission accomplished! Michal was married to David.<br />Michal's heart never ceased to love her husband and she was content to be his wife. The only snag is the obvious hatred her father seems to harbour for her husband. Her love, unknown to her makes her father's hatred for her husband to increase more. To Saul, David has not only taken away God's favour from him, his son and daughter loves him too! David kept winning all battles, and became even more popular to Saul's chagrin.<br /><br />Michal heard of her father's conspiracy to stake out her house and kill her husband, David. She quickly told him what was going on. " Quickly now - make your escape tonight. If not, you'll be dead by morning!" She let him out of a window, and he made his escape. She also took a dummy in his bed, place a wig on it's head and covered it up. That was what her father's guard saw when they came in the morning to kill David. That was the beginning of David's life as a fugitive and his hide and seek game with Saul that ended at Saul' death years after. David as a fugitive married other women like Abigail,<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Ahinoam</span>,<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Haggith</span>, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Abital</span> and <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Eglah</span>&nbsp;while Saul&nbsp; married Michal&nbsp;off to <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Paltiel</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Laish</span>. <br /><br />David did not forget Michal, her love for him and how she made good his escape that fateful night, so when he heard of the offer to be king of the United State of Israel, his first condition to the general that made him the offer is that Michal should be brought to him in Judah (that is where David was reigning as King at&nbsp; the time as Saul's son <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Ishbosheth</span> ruled over the rest of Israel supported by his army general, Abner). It was this same Abner that gave David the offer to rule both kingdom after being reprimanded by <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Ishbosheth</span> for sleeping with Sauls' mistress. Please note that <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Paltiel</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Laish</span> wept and followed the soldier that came to take Michal back to David. Michal was definitely a good wife and loved even though she did not have a child for <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Paltiel</span>.<br /><br />Obed-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Edom</span> had the ark (which signified the presence of God) in his house after an unfortunate situation at the first attempt to transport it back to&nbsp;Jerusalem. David knew the ark should be where the king is and made arrangements to bring it&nbsp;to the city of David, being a Shepherd boy e did not care about royalty and danced before the ark like an excited child will do when his father returns home after so long. Michal, who had spent so many years in the palace been groomed as a princess &nbsp;saw this as a bad behaviour for a king. She became judgemental of David's mode of worship and refused to key in into the sacredness of the moment. <br /><br />After David had led the dance group, offered prayers and offerings to God who is present in the ark he blessed the people and sent them home. David then returned home to bless his own family. I am sure he had it in his mind to pray for the blessing of a child for his wife Michal, who met him as he came in and rather than receive the blessing, blurted out," How wonderfully the king has distinguished himself today - exposing himself to the eyes of the servants' maids like some burlesque street dancer!" Instead of a blessing, David replied her," In God's presence I'll dance all and how I want! He chose me over your father and the rest of your family and m<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">ade</span> me a prince over His people, over Israel. oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory - more recklessly even than this. And as far as I'm concerned...I'll gladly look like a fool...but among these maids you're so worried about, I'll be honoured!" <br /><br />Many of us know Michal as Saul's daughter and David's first wife. We are also too familiar with the fact she is the only woman in the bible that died barren. Every other childless woman in the bible had a child of promise but Michal died without a child. I have always believed (and I am sure you also did) that it was all due to the way she despised King David when he danced vigorously at the party heralding the return of the ark into the City of David was her offence. She meant no bad and to the best of her knowledge she was protective of the sanctity of the throne which she grew up to know.<br /><br />M<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">ost</span> of us do today are like that, we judge others actions without knowing what the motives are, we condemn one form of worship against another as long as it does not suit our background or style. We have failed to develop a firm belief in God so we need outward piety to show we are law-abiding children. Legalism made Michal miss her time of blessing, will you let it take yours from you? Comments are welcomed.<br /><br />Story taken from&nbsp; between 1st Samuel 18 - 2nd Samuel 6. Message bible versionDolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-85227703180430695412010-05-11T14:23:00.000-01:002010-05-11T14:23:59.204-01:00Random Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S-l1-uWpiSI/AAAAAAAAAFo/woCxGoMY6Yo/s1600/006.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S-l1-uWpiSI/AAAAAAAAAFo/woCxGoMY6Yo/s320/006.png" tt="true" /></a></div><br /><br />1.&nbsp;It is already May and that means in a few weeks the year we all waited with anxiety to start would have gone half-way. How have you fared or ho are you&nbsp;faring?<br /><br />2. I read in one of the blogs i subscribe to that <em>failure is ambition refused for a better plan</em>. Only if we can truly understand the words of this sentence and make them true in all our endeavours.<br /><br />3.&nbsp; I know some people who have decided to shut out pains and pretend as if those emotions don't exist. To such people your sufferings can simply not be felt and therefore they cannot sympathise with you. But does that eliminate the fact that there is pain? of course not.<br /><br />4.&nbsp; This year is moving on gradually and by now I'm sure most people have forgotten what it was they intended to do in the year and have join in&nbsp;in the motions, accepting the status quo and drifting. I live in a country and state where it is so easy to drift, but we must do all we can to move against the tide and dream on...<br /><br />5. Take time out - maybe a week or 3 days and decide to live positively-&nbsp;not&nbsp;&nbsp;dobting&nbsp;your&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;own ability to succeed and not habouring any negative thought in your heart. Try it and see if it works for you. I am doing the same too.<br /><br />We will surely sing a new song!Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-44878731672051908442010-03-09T15:23:00.000-01:002010-03-09T15:23:38.557-01:00SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THE DEADIt is so sad that an human being can slaughter another human being, innocent children and their mothers in cold-blood all in the name of religion or reprisal attack! This shows how far our culture has degenerated into a abysmal state where instead of growing to be more accepting of one another we descend into animalistic tendencies. <br /><br />I blame&nbsp;our&nbsp;leaders,&nbsp;I blame poverty, unemployment and the religious bigotry that has pervaded our nation unchecked for 50 years. How can we refuse to move on, how can we move on if we have no future to step into!&nbsp;50 years of religious crisis, and even an attempted terrorist attack on USA.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S5Z1TMKpozI/AAAAAAAAAFA/AAZvHZS7JzA/s1600-h/jos+massacre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S5Z1TMKpozI/AAAAAAAAAFA/AAZvHZS7JzA/s320/jos+massacre.jpg" vt="true" width="297" /></a></div>I&nbsp;saw this picture online and it is just sad! I imagine the joys of the families of these slain kids&nbsp;at their birth and now, their destinies has been truncated in the most savage manner. Which way, Nigeria? Haiti lost&nbsp;thousands to a naturally occuring disaster, we lost our&nbsp;hundreds to a man-made and avoidable disaster.<br /><br />Let us all spare a thought for these lost souls in our quiet time and pray for Nigeria!Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-45825592730555961092010-03-04T11:41:00.000-01:002010-03-04T11:41:37.665-01:00A Letter to the Child of My Waiting Days&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Straight from my heart,<br /><br />26-02-2010<br /><br />Dear child of my waiting days,<br /><br />I cannot remember a time in the last few years that I have not prayed for you, most times with tears in my eyes - begging God to let you come, to remove every impediment and make you perfect. Even when I was so sure you were on the way and after 24 weeks the journey was truncated, it made the desire to have you, hold you, love you more intense and the tears flow freely each time I pray. My prayers became desperate, giving God all the reasons I know to make you mine. <br /><br />I only stopped asking for you in tears after I had an awesome experience through the song, "Yesterday" by MaryMary. The song really ministered to me that I need not cry as God knows my desire and my tears won't do a thing. He will still be God so all I need do is praise him for being God. But all through these times I never had a dream about you. Initially,&nbsp;my prayer was for one beautiful child, after the unfortunate incidence in January 2009, my prayers became a request for two. Yet I had no picture in my mind of what I wanted until now.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S4-ptjg3JYI/AAAAAAAAAEw/52-yGxZHmQ8/s1600-h/babies+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S4-ptjg3JYI/AAAAAAAAAEw/52-yGxZHmQ8/s200/babies+image.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><br />I saw you today when I&nbsp;had a wonderful dream about you and it was such an awesome experience - still don't understand how one can move from infanthood, to teenage years in one night - but that was what&nbsp; happened. The dream has given me confidence as I have an idea of what you look like. It has also secured a place in my heart for you more than ever before, and I know now that I want you more than ever.<br /><br />If you ever get this letter, I hope you are looking forward to meeting me as I am waiting for you. However, in this waiting room, I am doing my best to deserve you and be the best mom you will be proud of.<br /><br />I will surely write another letter to you till we see face to face in the flesh. I hope that won't be too far in the year.&nbsp;Be assured&nbsp;dh is also looking forward to meeting you and prays for you everyday.<br /><br />Love you.<br /><br />Dolapo Taiwo-FajoluDolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-88631663857787348022010-02-24T14:59:00.000-01:002010-02-24T14:59:06.342-01:00No, You Don’t Have To See You Wearing a White Dress!<a href="http://spiritualfuel.org/news/?p=271">No, You Don’t Have To See You Wearing a White Dress!</a>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-74991875236916726642010-02-08T10:45:00.000-01:002010-02-08T10:45:54.595-01:00What is Marriage Really About?This post is about an important part of our existence as human beings. Whether we acknowledge it or not, marriage is as important as any of lifes' endeavour. A look at the courtship period, the proposal, wedding rattamatazz and the rest of the furore about what is right or not makes it even more encompassing. Some people ascribe more improtance to the ceremony than to proper care in the choice of life partner. That word, <strong>life partner</strong>, brings me to the main reason why i am writing this piece - What is marriage really about? What is the life partnership all about? What sustains it? <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S2_2gJ8UcwI/AAAAAAAAAEc/SvvKnhYVDmI/s1600-h/My+wedding+pics+2+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S2_2gJ8UcwI/AAAAAAAAAEc/SvvKnhYVDmI/s200/My+wedding+pics+2+033.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;A look at the conventional wedding vows reads like this, <em>"to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part</em> "(Traditional Church of England wedding vows). <br /><br />And then to exchange rings, the vows reads like this<em>,"With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit". </em>(Traditional words for the exchange of rings).<br /><br />"Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God, one that should not be taken for granted. It is the right atmosphere to engage in sexual relations and to build a family life. Getting married in a church, in front of God, is very important. A marriage is a public declaration of love and commitment. This declaration is made in front of friends and family in a church ceremony." - bbc.co.uk<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The above quote is the best definition of christian marriage that i have ever come across. We pretend as if marriage is merely for status, just for us to add the prefix, MRS to the ladies name or for the man to boost his ego that he has come of age. Marriage is firstly a gift - then what is the gift? It is the gift of another person just like a brother, sister, friend, companion. What differentiates a man as a friend and a man as a husband is the right to sexual relationship. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S2_qcNiridI/AAAAAAAAAEU/MI8oi-gixGA/s1600-h/100_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S2_qcNiridI/AAAAAAAAAEU/MI8oi-gixGA/s200/100_0920.JPG" width="186" /></a></div>It took a funny picture of a cake made for a bridal shower and its inscription to bring about an argument on what marriage is really about. We may never agree on what it means to us all&nbsp;but my research on the topic showed that what differentiates marriage from other relationship we hold is the right to sexual relationship. No wonder in the bible, marriage is often associated with&nbsp;"knowing". We are familiar with scriptures that says, "and Isaac knew his wife, and she conceived..., and David knew his wife...", and several other knowings in the scriptures. <br /><br />Also, the grievous sin of infidelity would not have been so classified if it is not&nbsp;a direct violation of what marriage stands for. So when I saw this cake, I was simply amused at the bolness of the baker and probably that the person who organised the bridal shower. It may look a little to odd for some, even unholy or unspiriitual to others, but what are we talking about? Ask any married man or woman and they will tell you the truth, most marriages hit the rock first from the bedroom before it gets to the kitchen, living room or out in the public. <br /><br />Before you say you don't have to be married to have sex as the message around us has always been that of permissiveness, I must emphasise that sex outside of marriage is mostly done in fear - either of catching a disease, unplanned pregnancies, heart breaks and even eternal judgement.&nbsp;Anyone who will be truthful like one of my former managers who confessed that before marriage, it takes him at least a week to beg his wife-to-be to have sex with him but after marriage, he can, any time of the day get her to do his biddings. That may be the extreme but the place of sex, we all know is in the safety of marriage.<br />Any woman preparing for marriage should prepare for the wedding night(s) as much as she does the ceremony. Not just a lingerie for the honeymoon, but a lifetime of convincings 'not tonight dears, faint headaches, tiredness, or even a lock out'. But above all, the wonderful feeling of total peace that comes with satisfying nights or even days&nbsp;in each others' arms. <br /><br />NB<br />Readers comments are welcomeDolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-38929658138405824342010-01-29T14:13:00.000-01:002010-01-29T14:13:04.828-01:00Questions, rantings and more questions!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It hurts so bad when we miss the point of our existence.&nbsp;I am not referring to an individual failing to meet lifes' expectation but the Church becoming a disappointment to itself and the people it is meant to serve. Why did God give us Jesus? John 3:16 says, <em>"This is how much God loved the <strong>WORLD</strong>: He gave his Son, his one and only SON. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life" (The Message//Remix version of the bible)</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last thing on God's mind when He created man was for man to build edifices and all that - God made man so that he can fellowship (have relationship) with Him. He sent Jesus so that He can restore the fellowship lost when man fell. Where then did the Church get the idea that the building is more important than the people of God, or that offerings and eloquent speeches can replace the tears of a repentant sinner? It continues to amaze me that from church to church the leadership place more emphasis on numbers that fill the auditorium service after service than on the numbers been redeemed from the kingdom of the devil to God's kingdom!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why will we spend good money, provided by God's grace on jamborees disguised as musical concerts when we can storm the streets and save the dying world, the world God so love...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When will we stop putting one another down enough to focus on the urgency of the kingdom matters. It surprised me when I heard someone call a close pal of my "spiri-koko" even in the church, is it possible for us to be too spiritual? I think it is better to be too spiritual than to be carnally minded.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pastors, Deacons, Elders focus on loyalty rather than raising disciples. There is a desire to run the church, or should I say ministry like a profit-making organisation - no wonder men are clamouring for tax for the churches. We have majored in the minor!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S2L6dNw0RZI/AAAAAAAAAEM/7ZkIhPWgdBk/s1600-h/church+pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4fA_N2QXp5k/S2L6dNw0RZI/AAAAAAAAAEM/7ZkIhPWgdBk/s320/church+pics.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We don't affect the world again and the painful part of it is that we have brought the fight home - biting and killing each other. Setting the zeal of people on fire and then pouring water on it all in one breath! How else can one describe what happens when church leaders are selected not based on the guiding of the spirit but on intellectual, personal and even sometimes financial basis. No wonder we don't get the result we desire and we weary out. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May God help us.</span>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-39112112327949196792010-01-22T08:46:00.000-01:002010-01-22T08:46:56.427-01:00Fear has Torment 1, 2 and Finally (A reprint)<em><span style="color: purple;">The story you are&nbsp;about to read was first published as a facebook note in 3 parts in April 2009. I have not started blogging then but knew i wanted to write. </span></em><br /><br />I almost broke out in sweats though the airconditioner was working full blast. I looked at the time and it was 12 midnight. Has he been awake all night or did he set an alarm? It wasn't my birthday, our anniversary or valentine. 'I love you' , he said and left the room. Why would my husband wake up at midnight just to say that? Is he leaving? Have i done something wrong? Or right? Did he have a dream or premonition of something? Am i dying? <br /><br /><br />How did i become so fearful just because of an endearing remark? <br />&nbsp; <br />He left my side as the torrents of negative thoughts flooded my mind. Do i follow him and ask why he said he loves me. I heard the toilet flush and steeled myself for what's to come. He headed for the living room instead and moments later i heard music play as he began to worship and pray. Ha! I muttered, something must really be wrong?! I began to say prayers of my own then it struck me- DH just wanted 2 express his love for me. Why did i allow fear to paralyse me and stop me from enjoying the moment? <br />&nbsp; <br />I didn't have the courage to join in the prayers but i waited patiently in the room. I realised then that everyone has a moment, when our defences are down and we are at our lowest point- at that point we lose our confidence and become helpless. I also concluded that such thoughts won't stop coming but i won't allow them spoil such sweet moments. As he walked in, <br /><br /><br />I stretched out my hand and whispered a hearty I love you too. Just then the alarm rang. 4.30a.m. Time to get up and face another day in Lagos.Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-7307120573781295722010-01-22T04:47:00.000-01:002010-01-22T04:47:15.740-01:00Mama na boy 2!It is rejoicing all the way as God heard my familys' heart cry and blessed my Sister with a bbb! Now Shalewa and Shewa has a litttle brother making a very balance equation and me, another nephew! My sweet brother-in-law is not unequally yoked and out-numbered anymore! I am really excited that it's a boy! And shout out to Kemi &amp; Ibrahim Folarin whose son is als a birthday mate of my nephew. Now that baby is alos a testimony to God's pride in hearing us and making all things beautiful in his time.<br /><br /><br />Note : bbb - bouncing baby boyDolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-22835524655101654642010-01-20T14:36:00.001-01:002010-01-20T14:36:44.568-01:00An Invitation to all my friendsI have a confession to make. The confession is that I have another blog alongside favourite things which is closer to my heart and what I do is that I go there when I want to offload. Now i want to invite friends to this blog. Please take time out to visit <a href="http://shethirsts.blogspot.com/">http://shethirsts.blogspot.com/</a>. It looks a bit dark but there are cheering news there too.<br /><br />I hope you will learn one or two things and your comments are welcome.Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-32623863901647552532010-01-07T05:06:00.000-01:002012-10-19T04:59:45.157-01:00Waiting.Waiting..Waiting...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Much of the christian life consist of waiting - we wait on God in fasting, prayer and watchnights, we wait for answers to prayers, whatever our request may be. In the waiting process several things happen&nbsp;to a believer. Waiting on God is like going to the hospital - you walk through the doors and several faces look up at you as you approach the reception desk.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Registration over, you take a seat and listen to the radio on your phone, make calls or watch the TV. Bored, you fix your gaze on the wall posters and medical jargons on almanacs and calendars or some wall papers. By now you are sicker than you were when you came in.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">The nurse calls your name and you get up and continue the wait as your temperature, blood pressure, weight&nbsp;and others are taken and recorded. Then you are ushered into the doctors office who after hearing your story orders some tests and you are back atthe waiting line&nbsp;now in the laboratory...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Should our waiting on God be like this? I believe we must not leave it all to God as Apostle Paul said in Hebrews 6: 10-15, The Message remix version of the Bible summarises it like this and i paraphrase as follows<em>,"God keeps his promise but while you wait for it dont be lazy - work at it and at your belief".</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">God can do all things, it is only a matter of when and as we cannot plant a seed and reap a harvest of the same in the same day, waiting is inevitable in our human experience but it doesn't have to be as bad as waiting on a doctor, who may not even be able to disgonise correctly what ails you. God is Sovereign and we need to remind ourself of his vastness everyday so that we don't lose sight of who we are working for and waiting on. </span></div>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-56414897617057850152010-01-04T12:54:00.001-01:002010-01-04T12:54:41.604-01:00Check out Prayers Fire Blog<p>Hi,</p><p>I want you to take a look at: <a href="http://gotaf.socialtwist.com/redirect?l=-509325703711596490621">Prayers Fire Blog</a> </p>Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415591506646010325.post-33670408361104639032009-12-07T13:04:00.000-01:002009-12-07T13:04:36.553-01:00Going Somewhere?I saw this expression somewhere and i quote "Those who think they know everything are annoying to those of us who do. It's funny, but if you place the period after the word "annoying," it's also true. But know-it-all managers aren't just annoying. They're also bad managers, bad for the organization, and bad for business." Since I don't know everything, i am prepared to read as much as i can, research on it and learn form those who do. I believe that will help me become a better manager and therefore a dependable business person.<br /><br />I sent out a thank you note to all my customers today and i did that telling myself that i must not look like where i am, but rather like where i am going to. My business is still young, somehow shaky but i know all too well that that is the same way athletes like Usain Bolt started- crawling, sttagering, standing , walking, running and then running well. <br />ATB&amp;B may be young but it is not going to be like that for long. <br /><br />I am also starting aa book review/online book club in 2010 - so watch this space all lovers of books and you will be glad you did. <br />THINK, LOOK AND ACT LIKE WHERE YOU ARE GOING!Dolapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10181443172051961627noreply@blogger.com0